Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Working hard - or - Hardly working?

Actually I've been having fun more than anything.  Been busy making more tiger print supplies but also had some fun with making some new buttons.  This is my pile so far that are ready to photograph and list in our Etsy shop and I have more in the oven while I write.



I am always scrounging around for odd things that I can use or incorporate with my clay.  The other day  I found two unusual items in my drawer and decided to make a mould from them.  (See my earlier posting on how to make a mould.)  I then recreated some new clay pieces from those moulds and made them into buttons.

   
I think the rich jewel-tone metallic colors giving them a sort of vintage look.  Speaking of vintage -- I also have some new hearts for this years One World One Heart give-away.  I will share more on that soon.

8 comments:

Sue C said...

I love the colors on those buttons. Is your method of getting those rich colors a secret or something you are willing to share? I don't make buttons, but would love to have those colors on some of my small sculptures in the future. Smiles, Sue C

Alice Stroppel said...

Gorgeous colors. Seriously.

2 Good Claymates said...

Thanks, The colors are from mica powders. The clay you use as a background has an effect on how the mica powders come out -- more jewel tone or more pastel. The colors also intensify a bit more after baking so is fun to experiment.

Sue C said...

Thank you, I really enjoy your blog. Do you have to seal them, then? I've used the mica powders a tiny bit, but always get them EVERYWHERE, LOL. My grandson (3) was helping his mother unpack some boxes from a recent move and apparently found her mica powders and in the picture she sent he looked like a little sunset man, huge white teethed grin in a mica sunset colored face. He was right beside her as he did it also, LOL, she can't figure out how he managed it so quickly she never saw him. Smiles, Sue C

2 Good Claymates said...

Yes Sue, you have to seal them or they will eventually wear off. Especially for a button that will go through the wash. You have to be extremely careful with the mica powders and not breath in the dust as well. You can use a liquid polymer clay to seal or a varathane. I use a varathane and then bake them again to harden.

Anonymous said...

Those colors are amazing, wonderful job !

Dschrader said...

Gorgeous!!! I just saw a comment on my blog where you had an award for me back in March and I just found the comment! I know I'm too late to get the award....but didn't want you to think I was terrible for never responding! Thanks for letting me win! Donna Schrader
sodapop@ptialaska.net

Unknown said...

These are beautiful.
That Mica stuff sounds a bit tricky to work with!!!!!!